Thursday 15 April 2010

Summer's here!

I have just been walking for over an hour, with serious blisters on my feet. Since I had the blisters before I started, it made for a fairly unpleasant experience. That's what you get for walking around Manchester city centre in wedges!

It was all in aid of the fact that summer appears to be here - the sun has actually be shining for several days now, and I'm refusing to believe viscious rumours that things may take a turn for the worse. So here at Dr. Kershaw's we are celebrating with a range of summer events.

Today, I have been out scouting venues for two new events. The first is a Dog Walk, to take place on Saturday 24th July at Tandle Hill Country Park. It will involve a walk around the park, a dog's fancy dress competition, and a family picnic afterwards. Collect votes for your dog (pennies equal votes) and the dog with the most votes on the day will be named best in show and win a prize. Entry is £10 per person, and family tickets are also available. Your entry includes your picnic lunch. If you have a four-legged friend that would like a day out in the summer sun, email me at allegra@drkershawshospice.org.uk or call 0161 624 9984 for an entry form.

The second new event is a Duck Race! This will take place on Saturday 21st August at Chadderton Hall Park. Sponsor a duck for just £1 and you could win a fantastic prize (more information will be revealed soon!). We will have a range of stalls and activities for you to enjoy on the day, so watch this space for more details.

Don't forget, registration is now open for our Midnight Walk. This ladies-only walk begins at midnight on Saturday 5th June and we will be walking 13.1 miles through the night into the morning on Sunday 6th June. Registration is £15 and it is a truly memorable experience. Call Cheryl on 0161 624 9984.

Enjoy the sunshine, and let's hope it lasts for a long time!

Wednesday 31 March 2010

Matters of life and death

I think most of us prefer not to think about death. We don't want to think that it will happen to us, or to those that we love. But we know that death is an inevitable part of life, and how we experience our death is of vital importance to us and to our loved ones.

Around 70% of people say that they want to die at home, but 60% of people die in hospital. If we do not discuss our wishes, we cannot expect our family and friends to be able to support us in our choices for our end of life care.

On Monday 12th April, Dr. Kershaw's Hospice will be holding a 'Dying Matters' event. This will give you the chance to talk to healthcare professionals, spiritual advisors, and other professionals invovled with end of life care. You will be able to get advice on how to plan your choices, and discuss these with your loved ones.

This is not an event for people who are about to die, and not an event to be scared of. Death is a part of life for everyone, and planning for it doesn't bring it closer. Everyone should have the opportunity to plan their end of life care the way they want it. The event will be held in a friendly, relaxed environment, for anyone to come along and share their thoughts with us. It will take place from 1pm - 4pm at the hospice. Come and say hello!

Part of understanding death involves appreciating life. We all have to make the most of the time that we have. So to celebrate the importance of getting the most out of life, we are holding a 'Bucket List' competition. Tell us your top 5 things that you want to do during your life, and you could win a 25 mile helicopter ride, courtesy of Pennine Helicopters! Call 0161 624 9984, or email your list to allegra@drkershawshospice.org.uk

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Internet Takeover!

We all know how important hospice care is. Hopices provide vital support to local people, at times when their need is greatest. All care and support for patients and their families is provided completely free of charge. But whereas most hospices receive a small amount of funding from the NHS, the vast majority of the money needed to keep every hospice going must come from fundraising activities.

Here at Dr. Kershaw's Hospice, the Appeals team needs to raise £1,300,000 every year to allow the hospice to continue providing care to the people of Oldham. We could not do what we do without support from local people and businesses.

We are aiming to raise awareness of the need for local support, and to demonstrate how much people care about their local hospice, by staging a takeover of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

If you would like to show your support for your local hospice, purchase a yellow wristband from the Appeals Office for just £1, then on Monday 24th May change your Facebook, MySpace or other profile picture to a photo of you wearing the wristband. Send us your picture, or post a comment on our Facebook page so that we can see your photo - there will be a prize for the best one. Keep them family-friendly please, people!

To get your wristband, send £1 along with a note stating 'Dr. Kershaw's Hospice Internet Takeover' and your name, address, and telephone number, to Allegra Holbrook, Appeals Office, Dr. Kershaw's Hospice, Turf Lane, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6EU.

Help us turn the internet yellow!

Monday 8 February 2010

Is it really 2010...?!

Ok, this year has got away from me a little bit... It might have something to do with the fact that I'm largely in denial about the fact that we have reached 2010 already, and I have continued writing 2009 on pretty much everything! So if you've had a letter from me this year, I can only apologise for confusing you!

And amidst all that, suddenly it has become February! Which not only means that the long-awaited China Day is finally taking place this Saturday (tickets are still available at just £10 each), but that I am now looking ahead to Easter!

The Easter Bunny Hop takes place on Easter Monday, 5th April. It is a sponsored walk especially for children. The Easter Bunny will lead the children around a 1.5 mile route through Alexandra Park in Oldham. There will also be an Easter Egg Hunt, face painting by Vix Face Painting, a goody bag for every child and a free raffle ticket with every entry. A big thank you to Tesco Extra on Huddersfield Road who are providing the goody bags and the raffle prizes.

Entry costs just £5 per person, and every child entry comes with a free adult place. You don't have to be a child to enter - if you are a big kid at heart and want to come along to meet the Easter Bunny then feel free! Prams and pushchairs are welcome, so anyone of any age can take part. Call 0161 624 9984 for an entry form, or download one from www.drkershawshospice.org.uk .

Monday 11 January 2010

Escape the snow and head to China!

The new year is well and truly underway! And there is no rest for the wicked - the Dr. Kershaw's Appeals Team are back to the grindstone.

We have battling through the snow to offer you a range of events to chase away the winter blues!

If your new year celebrations have been slightly hampered by all the snow, then celebrate Chinese New Year instead! We are holding a Chinese-themed day on Saturday 13th February, 10am to 3pm, to bring in the new year with a true taste of Chinese culture. There will be an arts and crafts workshop, including traditional paper-folding, language games, a Chinese meal, a screening of a documentary about the country, and a film screening. It promises to be a fun and original day for all the family. Tickets are just £10 for the whole day. Places are limited, so please call 0161 624 9984 to book.

Thursday 17 December 2009

Have yourself a merry little Christmas...

A massive thank you to everyone who came to our Santa Run last Sunday. It was a great day, and hopefully you have all raised lots of money for the hospice!

Don't forget to return your sponsorship money - either in person to reception, or by post to Dr. Kershaw's Hospice, Turf Lane, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6EU.

Santa tells me that he has sent out all of the letters that you requested, and his hard work has raised £444 for the hospice. So thank you Santa!

Things are winding down here, ready for the Christmas holiday. But fundraisers never rest, and we will be back straight after Christmas with some new exciting events for you!

Here's a sneak preview.... China Day will take place on 9th January. The day will run from 10am until approximately 3.30pm, including a Chinese arts and crafts workshop, Chinese language games, a Chinese buffet meal and a Chinese movie (but with English subtitles!). Tickets are just £10 per person, and can be obtained by calling the Appeals Office on 0161 624 9984.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Dr. Kershaw's Hospice.

Friday 20 November 2009

Santa Madness

So I've come back to a madhouse!

Entries are coming in thick and fast for our Santa Run! It should be a really fun day, so if you're interested in running round Alexandra Park in your very own Santa suit then call me on 0161 624 9984 as soon as possible.

And speaking of Santa... I'm passing on all your letter requests to him, and he tells me he'll be sending them out shortly. So if you've asked for a letter from Santa for someone it will be on its way soon! If you would like Santa to send a letter to someone you know, big or small, then get in touch.

I don't really have time to take a breath at the moment, so this is quite a short post. Don't forget our Light up a Life service on 6th December at 7.30pm. See you all soon!